Why so few K22's for sale?

[islandguy]

Hi all
Just wondering if its the same south of the border. Up here, in Canada, there are very few K22's on the market. I was lucky enough to find a very nice 17-6 a few weeks ago and snapped it up ($599 Cdn), but it was only one of 7 that I was able find for sale up here. Of those for sale, prices ranged from $500 for one in good condition to $795 for one in nearly new condition. What's it like in the US?
Islandguy (25% American, and damn proud of it)

 

[pownal55]

Not much better. Maybe a few more for sale at slightly lower prices.

 

[Doc Watson]

Just my thoughts, I have own four of them in my life, one a later heavy barrel, anyways I found that they were getting harder and harder to find after they were discontinued and I wised up and kept the last one that I found in excellent condition, becaused I realized what a great revolver the Masterpiece series was in general and the K-22 in particular.

 

[brucev]

Ammo prices are high. People still enjoy shooting. S&W .22 LR revolvers are unequaled in quality, precision and accuracy. There is no manufacturer producing .22 LR revolvers of the sort that S&W once routinely shipped. Those revolvers available are not going for a song because so many people recognize their value. Especially for those who simply enjoy shooting more than a box of rounds a week, S&W .22 LR revolvers are extremely attractive.

 

[Art Doc]

I recently offered 2 for sale, a 17 and an 18, and still have the 17.

Gun sales are unpredictable.

 

[redlevel]

They ain't making them like that no more.

 

[selectgear]

I went to a show here in Atlanta last month and found only a handful of 17's there at high prices, around the +/- $700 range. I found a 10-shot (made 2009) 617 that I got out the door for $575 and was happy with that. I agree with the price of ammo comment but also there's not a better revolver than a S&W. Lastly, my wife prefers target shooting with a .22 so her hand won't tire. Jeff

 

[fyimo]

They have always been fairly hard to find but that has really been worst lately. If you do find a nice one they want serious dollars for them. I bought two last year a K22 with 6 inch barrel and a 17-4 with 8 3/8 barrels and I got lucky and got them for decent prices. I think a large part of the current situation has been cause by surging ammo costs and the lack of availability of a lot of pistol ammo. People realized how much shooting that they could do with a 22 pistol and a brick of ammo for $20 and so they jumped on the bandwagon and started buying the K22 revolvers up which of course caused prices to rise on them.

 

[ken158]

Cost of centerfire ammo has gone up so bad that many more plinkers are shooting .22's.

 

[HAWKEYE10]

I just like 22 cal. handguns. I have 7 of them including a model 17 and 18. I think there are other crazy people like me and that is part of the reason there are so few for sale. Don

 

[fyimo]

I just like 22 cal. handguns. I have 7 of them including a model 17 and 18. I think there are other crazy people like me and that is part of the reason there are so few for sale. Don

Don that is certainly true as I have 6 22LR pistols with one being a 22LR upper for my Sig P226. It lets me practice with the same trigger and full size frame with the 22LR upper on it.

 

[jag312]

Once you own a K22, you'll never want to get rid of it. I would rather sell my son than sell my K22. When I take people shooting for the first time, I have them shoot the K22. It has minimal recoil, good accuracy, and is easy to shoot well. About a month ago, I took two guys to the range who had never fired a gun before. I gave them my K22. In a very short time they hitting the black, and they were happy. Now both of them want to get a K22 for themselves. Good luck in the Peoples Republic of California. A K22 is not on the approved list, so they either have find one that is 50 years old or find a private individual who wants to sell his.

 

[tripledipper]

Went .22lr only shooting last week and brought them all, Taurus 94, 34-1, 18-3 and a Marlin 39A. Probably paid too much for a couple and got a good deal on a couple but it doesn't matter, it is just plain and reasonable fun to shoot 22's of any kind.

 

[diamonback68]

Islandguy, you say you have a 17-6, would you sell it? Of course not and neither would others, that's why you see so few on the market. I have three and ain't nobody gettin' none of them.

 

[Larry from Bend]

I was surely surprised to see four 17 no dashs at our little gun show on one table last weekend. They were maybe 90% guns shipped in '57 & '58. You could take your pick for $550. Two of them had diamond magnas. He also had a minty looking later model 17, 8and3/8" that was priced at $795. The fellow tending the table said he didn't know where the owner got all the no dashs -- in response to my question. I've had a no dash for nearly 40 years --- one of my favorites!

 

[bobelk99]

K22 sale

I personally can't imagine anyone selling a K22 unless their kid/grandkid is hungry.

 

[Deek]

I have been looking for one myself. I started collecting S&W revolvers in all calibers and the .22lr is next on my list, so I look on Gunbroker and at shows for good deals. Last weekend I saw a 17-4 at a show that the seller quoted at 100% and $600. It was NOT 100% and no box, so I offered him $475 and he came back with $550. Since most of my other revolvers happen to be dash 2's, I would like to stay with that and I turned him down. I am glad I did, because there are lots on Gunbroker (even K22s) that are better deals. Just waiting for the right one to call my name now…

 

[wraco]

Islandguy; There's a 17-6, looks brand new, on Gunnutz right this moment for $575. Also one at Elwood Epps, a K-22, 6", for $549.

Rod

 

[islandguy]

Saw the two you mentioned and passed the info on to a friend looking for a K 22. If I could convince my lovely wife that we need another one, I'd buy the 17-6 at $575 in a heartbeat. I paid $599 for my 17-6 full-lug last month.

 

[Slow Draw]

Why so few K-22's?

A few weeks back I was wondering the same thing and I came to the conclusion it's because everybody on this forum owns them all!!!